The reported news on Kyle Schwarber is bad, and the Chicago Cubs are going to need their deep MLB roster to begin contributing immediately. Jorge Soler and Javier Baez will now be more important than ever for the Cubs.
Schwarber left last night's game against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the second inning after colliding with center fielder Dexter Fowler, who dove for a fly ball and undercut Schwarber at the knees. Schwarber was initially diagnosed with a sprained ankle after X-rays came back negative, but an MRI revealed Friday that he had torn his ACL and LCL and will miss all of 2016.
Carrie Muskat of MLB.com reported earlier today that he'd be going on the disabled list (and that he also has a severe ankle sprain), but the unsettling news came from Jesse Rogers of ESPNChicago.com.
The Cubs have yet to announce the injury, but it's been widely reported and confirmed.
"Can't get mad about playing hard and getting hurt," Schwarber said last night. "Would rather play hard and get hurt than not play hard and not get hurt."
Soler is getting the start in left field tonight, and the Cubs will need him to wake up his bat and perform like he did during the 2015 postseason (.474 avg., 1.705 OPS, six runs scored, three home runs and five RBI in seven games) as they move forward without Schwarber.
Baez is also another option the Cubs will need to make an impact. He started the year on the disabled list due to a thumb bruise, but he recently suffered a setback when a pitch grazed his helmet during an extended spring training game in Arizona. The Cubs have said his thumb is healing on schedule, but manager Joe Maddon said the setback will not give Baez enough time to be cleared for a return for the Cubs' home opener against the Cincinnati Reds on Monday.
However, Baez figures to be an integral part of the team because of his defensive versatility. He saw time at second, shortstop and third last year before taking reps in the outfield this offseason during winter ball and spring training. That will come in handy now that the Cubs are already down an outfielder just three games into the 2016 MLB season.
If Baez can build off his 2015 campaign and maintain consistency at the plate, Maddon will likely be using him a lot.
And don't forget about outfield prospects Albert Almora and Billy McKinney, who are expected to make their MLB debuts sooner rather than later.
But for now, the spotlight will be on Soler and Baez , and their performance with the Cubs (rather than their involvement in trade rumors) will be the topic of conversation in the coming weeks.